Dear Lincoln County Community,
Thank you for your outpouring of support for the Christmas Spirit project for 2015! We are excited to share that this year had more businesses, organizations and donors than ever before. And, as a result of this amazing generosity, we were able to support 565 children from 232 families.
Each child received a combination of needed items, and items that are fun and/or interactive. As a wonderful, new addition to the program for this year, we ensured that every child who was in need of winter apparel received it. This meant that any child who needed boots, a winter coat, hat, mittens, etc. was geared up for the cold! When families arrived to pick up their gifts, they were also given the opportunity to wrap the gifts on site along with our volunteers.
As part of the continued growth and expansion of the Christmas Spirit program, we also reached further into the Tomahawk area by having tree hosts throughout the community, and offered a gift pick up for families who lived in that area. Previously, all participants were required to pick up at the Merrill Fire Department, which was limiting for some. We were thrilled that the WJJQ radio station partnered with the program this year to host the Tomahawk pick up site and improve the program for so many families. Special thanks to WJJQ!
This program would not be possible without the support of so many.
The Christmas Spirit Committee includes Julie Wendorf, Kris Reichelt, Linda Schmidt, Missy Lemke, Marilyn Baumgart and Jamie Carnes, Program Coordinator.
United Giving Tree/Tag Hosts for 2015 were Bell Tower Residence, Church Mutual, Gress Chiropractic, Heritage Chevrolet of Tomahawk, Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Johnson’s Home and Gift, Lincoln Community Bank, Merrill Fire Department, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, PCA of Tomahawk, River Valley Bank, Saint Francis Xavier Church, Saint John’s Church, Saint Stephen’s UCC and Tomahawk Community Bank.
Financial contributions were provided by Church Mutual, Merrill Fire Department, Sister’s Mercy of the Holy Cross, United Way, Corning All Stars and Debbie Moellendorf.
A special note of thanks to the Merrill Fire Department for the use of their beautiful facility as a distribution center, to Saint Stephen’s Church for their administrative support, to the Merrill High School Octagon Club and to the Saint Vincent de Paul office.
If you are interested in being involved in the Lincoln County Christmas Spirit project in 2016 as a donor, volunteer or to help by purchasing for a child or family, please contact Jamie Carnes at [email protected].
Happy New Year,
Jamie Carnes
Christmas Spirit Coordinator
To whom It May Concern,
ZUMBA dancers showed up in full force on Saturday, Jan. 9 to help the United Way in Merrill support two great causes that help people in need. With a $5 entrance fee or five food item donations, the event raised $266 for the Community Warming Center and 157 pounds of food for the Community Food Pantry.
With 70 people heating up the room, everyone participated in a heart healthy activity and had great fun doing it.
The Merrill Area United Way wished to extend our thanks to Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes for allowing us to hold the event at their facility. Leah Burbach, from Church Mutual Insurance Company was instrumental in organizing the event and helping with the promotion. We certainly couldn’t have done it without the ZUMBA leaders that came out and donated their time, travel and energy for this worthwhile effort. Special thanks to the Zumba leaders Carolyn Schneider of Merrill, Ann Pertile of Minocqua and Denise Chojnachi of Rhinelander.
Thanks Merrill for showing your incredible support one more time.
Dee Olsen, Executive Director
Merrill Area United Way, Inc.